News you need to know

From the upgrade/downgrade report (Mon Nov 19): Bernard has a combination of PPR bench depth and Joe Mixon injury handcuff value, although this offense isn't supporting a high numbers from the running back position with AJ Green on the sidelines.

Week 12: vs Cleveland Browns

Recent Stats and Projections

Weekly Performance vs RB 1, RB 12, RB 24, RB 36

Percentile ranks

Giovani Bernard's percentile rank in each category, among RB with more than 50 fantasy points.

Recent Game Summaries

2018 Week 10 vs NO (2 / 6 / 0 rush, 3 / 2 / 30 / 0 rec)

Bernard made his return after missing multiple games with a knee injury. He looked healthy enough. Bernard slipped out of the backfield on a broken play and made himself available to a scrambling Dalton. He made a nice catch on the run and was able to turn it up field, make the first man miss and pick up a 26-yard gain. On the day, Bernard played 29% of the snaps. However, the Bengals were dominated in time of possession and managed just 43 snaps so Bernard's opportunities were limited.

2018 Week 4 vs ATL (15 / 69 / 2 rush, 4 / 4 / 27 / 0 rec)

Bernard got off to a fast start. He caught a 17-yard screen on the second drive of the game. He later finished the drive, bouncing it outside for a 10-yard touchdown. In the final minute before halftime, Bernard caught a screen pass for a 14-yard gain. It was set up and blocked perfectly and Bernard nearly got into the end zone. He was able to pound it in for a 1-yard score on the very next play, however. Bernard followed defensive end Sam Hubbard who lined up at fullback on the play and punished the defender to open the hole. It looked like Bernard was playing through an injury down the stretch and he wasn't in the game for most of the final drive. He was grimacing and looked like he took himself out after a 4th-quarter run. It was unclear what the injury was and whether it is anything that will affect him going forward.

2018 Week 3 vs CAR (12 / 61 / 1 rush, 9 / 5 / 25 / 0 rec)

The Bengals leaned heavily on Bernard early, feeding him six touches on the opening drive of the game, which Bernard capped off with a 1-yard touchdown run. It was an impressive effort. It looked like he was stacked up a yard short, but Bernard kept his legs driving and was able to take advantage of a late push by the line to surge into the end zone. Bernard's best run went for 23 yards. It looked like he was bottled up at the line but he was able to bounce it outside and then weave his way back to the center of the field. It was a solid game for Bernard but the Bengals seemed to have to game plan differently without Mixon, mostly trying to get Bernard outside with very few attempts up the middle.

2018 Week 2 vs BAL (6 / 27 / 0 rush, 7 / 4 / 15 / 0 rec)

Bernard received a much larger share of the snaps and touches due to Mixon being out with injury. He was moderately productive as a runner, averaging 4.4 yards per carry but less so as a pass catcher, averaging just 2.2 yards per target. Bernard has also struggled some in pass protection this season. He was run over on one play and beaten badly enough on another play that he had to trip the rusher, drawing a penalty. Bernard's long run came on a pitch sweep to the left. The Bengals will likely continue to try to get Bernard to the outside because he hasn't had much success between the tackles so far. Bernard is going to get as many touches as he can handle the next few weeks with Joe Mixon out and he should be a top fantasy option next week.

2018 Week 1 vs IND (1 / -2 / 0 rush, 1 / 1 / 11 / 0 rec)

Bernard was a non-factor in Week 1. Though he played 25% of the snaps, he touched the ball just twice. He was stacked up in the backfield for a loss on his only carry and he received just one target in the passing game. Bernard had a third touch that went for a big loss but he drew a horse collar tackle to nullify the loss. Bernard's minimal usage is especially troubling from a fantasy perspective considering the Bengals trailed nearly the entire game.

Bengals | Giovani Bernard likely to play (Sun Nov 11, 09:53 AM) - Cincinnati Bengals RB Giovani Bernard (knee) is expected to play in Week 10's game against the New Orleans Saints, according to a source.